New from Wisconsin Historical Society Press
April, 2017
Wisconsin State Parks:
Extraordinary Stories of Geology and Natural History
By Scott
Spoolman
Paperback:
$24.95
ISBN:
978-0-87020-849-2
252 pages, 88
color photos and 6 maps, 7 x 9
Ebook $15.99
Buy on Barnes and Noble
ABOUT THE BOOK
From the volcanoes that poured deep
layers of lava rock in the northwest, to the glacial masses that molded the
land in the north and east, Wisconsin State Parks: Extraordinary Stories of Geology and
Natural History (ISBN: 978-0-87020-849-2, Paperback: $24.95) offers a
deeper understanding of our state's dramatic natural history, and explores the
complexity behind the impressive landscape we see today. This account of
nature's evolution instills in readers the value of Wisconsin's parks that goes
beyond just beautiful scenery and recreational opportunities; these areas
provide a window into the distant past.
Author and science writer Scott Spoolman uses his accessible storytelling style
to take readers through twenty-eight of Wisconsin's parks, forests, and natural
areas where evidence of the state's striking geologic and natural history are
on display. Spoolman sheds light on the current
landscape, drawing connections to ancient geologic processes, the evolution of
the flora and fauna, and the development of human settlement and
activities. This book includes a selection of
detailed trail guides for each park, which hikers can take with them on the
trail to view evidence of Wisconsin's geologic and natural history for
themselves.
MY REVIEW
Spoolman’s exploration of Wisconsin through the natural
history of its state parks helps natives and visitors alike know Wisconsin in a
more meaningful way. Spoolman’s journey and revelations almost feel as though
he’s sharing our state from the inside out.
In his latest book, Wisconsin State Parks, he guides the
reader through five areas of unique topography, examining what makes twenty-six
of our nearly fifty state parks special, as well as two of our dozens of state
forests.
Opening with a chapter on the “big picture” of knowable
history, Spoolman takes the reader on a wholly readable and understandable
geologic survey of what is now Wisconsin, from the earliest speculations of
forming and reforming land masses to the ages from the Cenozoic to Precambrian
periods. Using charts and figures, he breaks information into easily digestible
and interesting bites which lay the groundwork to understand the current
topography. The author then moves into early animal and human occupation which have
also affected the land for thousands of years.
The five areas Spoolman identifies are The Rift Zone of the
northwest corner of the state, The Driftless Area of the southwest corner,
Carved by Water and Ice for the south-central area, The Glacial Showcase of
southwestern Wisconsin and the Bones of the Land for the northeast quadrant. Wisconsin
is a large state with many varied features. He selected five or six parks or
forests for an intimate look in each area.
Each area chapter opens with several pages of general
geologic history, including figures and excellent definitions of terms used to
explain the described features. I turned to the Glacial Showcase first, as I
had lived near the Northern Unit of the Kettle Moraine Forest for thirty years.
The forest unit and guided trails at Parnell Tower and High Cliff were spot on.
I now live in the “Driftless” area, and checked out Spoolman’s description of
Wildcat Mountain, which I enjoyed.
Using photographs from different times of the year, late
summer and mostly fall, the author showcases the best of natural Wisconsin. For
parks such as Rock Island in Door County, he also includes a little light
keeper history. Native American tribal people impacts through the ages are also
noted. Spoolman takes the reader on a guided walk through forty of the trails
in the described parks, adding personal observations and interesting facts
along the way.
What you won’t find is specific information about the
Wisconsin Park system, such as entrance fees, camping, directions or addresses,
or various permits needed.
Spoolman’s bibliography is an excellent resource guide for
those who want to know more, and an index is helpful. Easily readable, recommended for junior high and up.
Families and hikers will appreciate learning more about our state. Small enough
to take on a hike or camping, having Wisconsin State Parks: Extraordinary
Stories of Geology and Natural History will add to your nature experience.
A BRIEF INTERVIEW WITH SCOTT SPOOLMAN
How did
you decide to write a book like this, and what’s unique about this book
compared to other Wisconsin Parks guides?
I wanted
to share my fascination about the geology and natural history of Wisconsin with
its variety of landscapes and land features, and found the State Parks to be
perfect entry points for taking journeys back in time, so to speak. On the park
trails, one can see the evidence that geologists, ecologists, archeologists,
and historians have used to tell the stories of what happened in Wisconsin’s
distant past. What makes the book unique is a narrative flow that includes just
enough geology to give readers the background they need to fully appreciate
each park story without bogging down in geologic concepts and terminology. I
also include trail guides that I wrote after taking my own hikes, designed to
help readers to see for themselves the evidence that scientists and historians
have used to construct the stories of the park areas.
Who do you
hope will spend the most time with this book and how you hope readers will use
it?
It should
appeal to a wide range of people, including those who have enough time to do
some traveling and who like going to the parks. They will enjoy learning how
some of the amazing features within the parks were formed and what went on in
the parks since ancient times. Also, young parents might enjoy having this book
when they take their children to the parks, because it will help them to answer
some questions the kids might ask about how things got to be the way they are
there. And finally, I think school age youngsters who are motivated to read and
learn in combination with their trips to the parks would appreciate this book.
Which
Wisconsin Park do you find the most unique and why?
That’s a
tough question. They are all unique, each having its own interesting story,
which makes it hard to pick favorites. Copper Falls State Park has a
complicated but fascinating geological story and a haunting beauty that transports
visitors back to an ancient time. It combines striking features—deep rocky
gorges, impressive waterfalls, and the confluence of two wild rivers—that make
it among my favorites. But I could say something similar about most of the
other parks I wrote about.
Do you
have one park in particular that every Wisconsinite should try to visit?
I’d rather
list a small number, one from each region, that people could choose from:
Interstate State Park in the northwest; Governor Dodge State Park in the
southwest; Devil’s Lake in south-central; Rib Mountain in the north; Kettle
Moraine State Forest in the southeast; and Peninsula State Park in the
northeast. That’s a Top 6, but I could easily have made a Top 10 or 20, all of
which I’d recommend everyone see.
What do
you hope for the future for Wisconsin’s Park system?
The
parks should be preserved and maintained as public parks, funded mostly by
public means, as opposed to user fees, so that they don’t become too expensive
for most people. They should be preserved
in their natural conditions as much as possible for the benefit of future
generations and for all wildlife that depend on them for their habitats and
survival. And they should be fully funded so that trails and other public
services in the parks do not deteriorate.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Author Scott Spooman is a
science writer who has focused on the environmental sciences, especially those
stories of natural science and the environment related to Wisconsin and
surrounding states. After earning a master's degree from the University of
Minnesota School of Journalism, he worked for several years as an editor in the
publishing industry, specializing in textbooks and other educational materials.
Since 1996, he has worked as a freelance writer and editor for a variety of
outlets and has coauthored several editions of a series of environmental
science textbooks.
Larry Ehrhorn was born in Chicago and raised in the city and its suburbs. After his own graduation (not nearly as traumatic as Kelly's), he attended Northern Illinois University, working summers and vacation holidays at various factories. After college graduation (a whole other story), Ehrhorn began a 33-year career as a high school English teacher (not Mr. Bates from the novel) in various schools ranging from a Chicago large suburban school to several small rural schools in Wisconsin. It was this during this somewhat lengthy career when he realized that times and places change, but students do not. Much of Four Months in Brighton Park reflects not only the author but the more than 3,000 students he taught.
